Foreign and Military Affairs

China calls for dialogue between DPRK, ROK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-31 18:55

BEIJING - China on Tuesday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to continue their dialogues in order to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Related readings:  ROK play down DPRK's threat to cut off hotline  DPRK threatens to cut off hotline with ROK

"We hope that concerned parties will continue their dialogues and address their concerns through consultations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a press conference in response to a question about a recent statement by the DPRK.

The DPRK said in a statement released on Monday that it would "never deal with" ROK President Lee Myung-bak and his government, accusing Seoul of trumping up false accusations against the DPRK and undermining its reconciliation efforts.

Jiang said that the overall situation on the peninsula has improved this year as the result of joint efforts by all sides involved.

"Realizing denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and maintaining lasting peace in northeast Asia is in the interests of all concerned parties," she said.

Jiang suggested that all concerned parties work in the same direction and show flexibility. She also called for the resumption of the six-party talks "as soon as possible."

Launched in 2003, the six-party denuclearization talks involve China, the DPRK, the United States, the ROK, Japan and Russia. The talks have been suspended since December 2008.